Page:Taking of Hostages Act 1982.pdf/1

c. 281

1982 CHAPTER 28 An Act to implement the International Convention against the Taking of Hostages; and for connected purposes.

by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

1.—(1) A person, whatever his nationality, who, in the United Kingdom or elsewhere,—
 * (a) detains any other person (“the hostage”), and
 * (b) in order to compel a State, international governmental organisation or person to do or abstain from doing any act, threatens to kill, injure or continue to detain the hostage,

commits an offence.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under this Act shall be liable, on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for life.

2.—(1) Proceedings for an offence under this Act shall not be instituted—
 * (a) in England and Wales, except by or with the consent of the Attorney General; and
 * (b) in Northern Ireland, except by or with the consent of the Attorney General for Northern Ireland.